Block · one region of the page, as the scanner read it. It may hold a whole story, part of one, several, or an advertisement; stitching blocks into articles is the next step. Text is supplied OCR.
Page 3 · column 6 of 6 · from the scan, no model involved
our plans for the future. It is our hope to provide more opportunities for all our citizens to become active in our efforts to preserve and protect Rappahannock County.
We also want to reach out to people who never have supported RLEP, perhaps even those who have been suspicious or hostile toward a bunch of “environmentalists”. We may be able to find common cause on some issues even with those who aren’t about to join our organization or any other.
I don’t know how much we can do in one year, or even several years, to mobilize the kind of grass-roots movement and enthusiasm that would have a real impact on the future of Rappahannock County in the new century. I know that is worth trying to do that. . I know that Rappahannock County is one of the last of a special breed of endangered places. I know that nobody outside this county is going to preserve and protect what we hold dear.
So that means we’re “it.” Like it or not, we’re here at the time and the place where the future gets decided. All of us who care about this place, and about our way of life, have been called to this duty. The old soldiers have faded away. The old century is gone. The old excuses for inaction are worn out.
We, the people, are the only force that can defend Rappahannock County’s natural beauty and rural way of life. This is our fight. Let’s not lose it.
James P. Gannon is president of the Rappahannock League for Environmental Protection. He may be reached by calling 987-9536 or e-mailing to gannonnjp@summit.net. This article is adapted from the December 1999 issue of the RLEP News.
97.5%